Heaton Stannington 1-2 Billingham Town

Saturday 20th April 2019

The last game of the season was hot and sunny weather wise but also sunny in other ways for Billingham Town who needed only a draw to ensure the league title and prevent 2nd place Thornaby from winning it. Even though the Stan had already secured 4th place, the bumper crowd of 401, which included 2 coach loads of fans from Billingham, witnessed a competitive match. There were 3 changes for the Stan.

Both teams tried to attack from the start though the 7th minute saw the start of a 2 minute period of sustained Stan pressure although a foul on Kerridge in the box was ignored by the referee. 2 minutes later and Town headed over and 4 minutes after that they had a weak effort go wide. In 14 minutes, a Town shot was deflected just wide for a corner. When the corner ball was sent directly into the box, Regan got up and caught the ball but it then uncharacteristically slipped out of his hands and went into the net.

Town then attacked again and Regan got down but the ball was deflected towards goal but Middleton blocked and the ball was deflected out for a corner before Town could shoot. Although the Stan were under pressure, they managed to counter attack in 16 minutes but were blocked by the big Town defenders.

In 22 minutes, the Stan broke free and Charmey headed on to Kerridge who passed to [b]Campbell[/b] who headed into the box against 3 defenders and calmly shot past the keeper for 1-1. In 24 minutes, Billingham put a ball direct from a free kick over the bar. In 25 minutes, a cross to a Billingham player in the Stan 6 yard box saw him head but Regan made a close range save. The town attacked again 2 minutes later and their shot was deflected off Middleton and in to the hands of Regan.

Billingham then had a period of sustained pressure with Regan getting up to block a header in 33 minutes and he headed away a minute later. In 36 minutes Town attacked and, even though there was a hand ball by a visiting player in the build-up, Hutchinson shot in the crowded box to make it 1-2. The Stan didn’t give up and 2 minutes later Campbell, under pressure, shot just wide. A great run by Burns saw him blocked followed by a Middleton shot swerving wide. The last clear effort of the 1st half came in 41 minutes when a Town’s Hutchinson player broke free and beat Middleton but Regan saved his shot.

Robinson replaced Kerridge at half time and the half started end to end. After a quiet period, the Stan shot over followed by a Robinson shot being blocked. Town then shot wide before the Stan advanced and Holland crossed but Burns was fouled as he tried to get up to head the ball in the box. It was end to end again and in 63 minutes Regan made a catch. The Stan countered before Regan had to clear again. Burns had a shot blocked before Holland tried to get the ball into the box.

In 71 minutes the Town attacked and 2 minutes later a Charmey free kick was deflected to the Town keeper who soon after also caught a Charmey header. In 75 minutes, Regan ran out to block but although the Town had a clear goal both Hall and Middleton blocked well. Burns then countered up the wing and put a good cross into the box which was deflected over the bar for a corner. Another corner saw Middleton head just over.

In 81 minutes Hutchinson somehow missed from 6 yards, from an off-side position, when his effort looked like it was going in. A Miller long throw was then headed away from just in front of the goal. Charmey was blocked and in injury time the Stan’s Middleton then Town’s Hutchinson should both have scored.

After the match, there was a fans match in memory of Simon Roberts. After that the annual awards presentation saw Connor Campbell win players’ player, top scorer, and fan’s player while Dan Regan won the management team’s player of the season award.

Congratulations also to league winners Billingham Town. For the Stan fans we hope you have a good summer and we will see you in July for the pre-season friendlies (dates to be confirmed).

Stan Team: Regan; Middleton; Sayer; Miller; Hall; Fulcher (Davison 83); Holland; Charmey; Campbell; Kerridge (Robinson 46); Burns.

Subs Not Used: Sakellaropoulos; Anderson; Hoggins.

Goal: Campbelll 22

Attendance 401.

Kevin Mochrie